02/15/2013

Ticats execute Plan A on day one of free agency

Brian Bulcke's Twitter avatar, in which he apeears to be doing a version of the white-man's overbite.

A day before free agency began, new Ticats general manager and head coach Kent Austin was discussing the finicky beast that is CFL free agency, acknowledging that the inherently unknowable nature of the entire enterprise required a multi-faced approach. Not only is Plan A required, but Plans B, C, and E as well.

“This was a lot of Plan A, not of all of it, but we feel very, very good about what we accomplished today,” Austin said.

The Ticats locked up three players on the first day of the CFL's open market: Canadian defensive lineman Shomari Williams and Brian Bulcke as well import defensive back Evan McCullough. In doing so, the team addresses both a shoddy defence – last in pretty much every statistical category that matters lin 2012 – and the ever-present need for high-quality non-imports.

“We were able to get out two top priorities, that was Shomari and Brian,” Austin said. “We wanted to go after proven Canadian talent.

Williams signed first, coming over after three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who drafted him first overall pick in 2010. The six-foot-one, 232-pounder recorded 90 defensive tackles, 32 special teams tackles, five quarterback sacks and one interception over than span.

The Toronto native has roots in Ontario – he won a Vanier Cup at Queens – and has a number of interests outside the game, including Top Prospects Canada, an online recruiting service he founded for Canadian high school football and basketball players. But coming to Hamilton, he says, was a football decision.

“It came down to where I felt I had the best chance to succeed in my career,” said Williams, 24. “You want to be the best player you can be: I want to be a starter and I want to be an all-star in this league.”

Williams has played both short side linebacker and defensive end – both spots manned by Americans for the Ticats last season – but says the early indications are that he'll be in the trenches next season.

“I think primarily I'll be a defensive end but within the scheme they'll be packages that allow for flexibility,” he said. “I'm a team guy first so no matter where they put me where, I'll do my best.”

At six-foot-four, 281 pounds, the 25-year-old Bulcke is another versatile guy who can play both inside and out on the defensive line. Like Williams, the Windsor, Ontario native was drawn by both location – his Dad was his first call after the deal was sealed – and the lure of more playing time after three seasons with Calgary.

“I think there's some amazing potential to build something great,” Bulcke said. “That combined with playing in front of people I care about means a lot.”

Selected at No. 6 in that same 2010 draft, Bulcke played at Stanford earning a undergrad in mechanical engineering and then a Masters in industrial engineering. He's also something of dancer, having busted out some Gangnam Style moves after a sack last December.

“Celebrations have to take a back seat to the team, execution, focussing on the play and the task at hand,” Bulcke said, wary of bad impressions. “But it's a great way to get a group of guys to come together and remind ourselves how fun this game is.”

With Williams and Bulcke on board, it would appear that the Ticats will use their seven starting Canadians in a different manner than they did last season.

“We're looking at manipulating the ratio differently and these were keys for us do that,” Austin said.

But if Williams and Bulcke are pieces with potential, McCollough has been a starter in 47 or the 48 games he's played in for the Argonauts over the last three seasons – all under Ticats defensive coordinator Orlondo Steinauer.

With good size at five-foot-11, 196 pounds, the 25-year-old McCullough has registered 159 defensive tackles, five interceptions and four fumble recoveries and will more than likely be a starting Ticat defensive back in July.

“Evan is very versatile and will able to piece together the rest of the secondary,” Austin said.

Despite the flurry of activity, there was little celebrating going on Friday night. Austin and his staff continued to pursue additional targets while Williams was driving from Regina to Calgary for a scouting event related to his business.

But Bulcke – whose Twitter pic features him in a contortionist pose that resembles dancing – seemed ready to ready to start trying out his post-sack moves Friday night.

“There will be some dinner with close family, then hook up with some friends,” Bulcke said. “Maybe some dancing later. I'm thinking Harlem Shake.”

You don't build a team by only going for the expensive flashy FA's each year as the Cats have been guilty of doing. It is good to get someone like Fantuz but you have to build some quality depth as well. The 3 signings file under quality depth and the Cats need to do more of that.

Very nice signings!!! The Cats have the offensive weapons to do well and needed defensive help. No splashy moves by Austin but instead he makes 3 solid moves. This is how my Redskins in the NFL have been turning their team around under Bruce Allen and Mike Shannahan. This is how the Cats can build a team that will rise to dominance.

Nice that Austin was able to land most of the players that he was after. Signing good Southern Ontario players is always a good idea - they are more likely to stay put! Here's to successful seasons for all!